Why Do Men Go Bald? (& What You Can Actually Do About It)

If your hairline is changing, you just want the simple truth: Why do men go bald?

Millions of men face the same question, and the answer is clear: genetics, hormones and the DHT villain. We break down the science of male pattern baldness without the medical jargon. You'll also learn the six proven treatment options including breakthrough therapies like PP405.

The Main Culprit: Genetics

The quick answer is in your genes. Most men face a genetic condition known as androgenetic alopecia, or male pattern baldness, the most common type of hair loss in men.

Look at the men in your family. If they're bald, you might have it too. But before blaming mom and dad, these genes can come from either your mother's or your father's side. If you've got the genes, your hair follicles are super sensitive to certain hormones like DHT, which is the real villain in this story.

But don't worry, you're in good company. According to the American Hair Loss Association:

• 95% of hair loss in men is caused by androgenetic alopecia or male pattern baldness

• At age 35, two-thirds of American men will experience hair loss

• At age 50, 85% of men will have thinning hair

• Approximately 25% of men with male pattern baldness experience hair loss before the age of twenty-one.

Hormones and DHT: How They Wreck Your Hairline

Meet DHT or dihydrotestosterone. DHT is the key player in hair loss for men with a genetic predisposition to baldness.

First, DHT attaches to hair follicles, causing them to shrink and resulting in thinning hair. Eventually, follicles stop producing hair altogether.

Why Do Guys Go Bald More Than Women?

Men who have higher testosterone levels are more prone to baldness due to increased DHT. On the flip side, women's estrogen levels help protect their follicles, resulting in a different pattern of hair loss that typically occurs later in life (female pattern baldness).

Fun fact: Women use the Ludwig scale to track female pattern baldness, while men use the Hamilton-Norwood scale.

Evolutionary Perspective: Is There a Point to Baldness?

Some scientists think that balding might have been an evolutionary advantage. Think about it. A bald scalp could signify maturity, wisdom, or social status. Like nature's saying, "This guy's been around the block."

Some suggest balding exposes our skin to more sun, increasing vitamin D absorption - something that naturally decreases as we age. 

Others say balding is just a harmless byproduct of our genes and hormonal changes, with no real purpose.

Either way, if you're balding, you're part of a club that's been around for a LONG time.

Lifestyle Factors That Speed Up Balding

You can't do anything about your genes, but your daily habits can impact how fast you lose your hair:

• Poor Diet: A lack of protein, iron, Vitamin D, and other essential nutrients can lead to thinning hair. Learn more about hair vitamins that result in healthy hair follicles.

• Smoking: Smoking causes hair loss and hair thinning. If you want new hair growth, kick the habit!

• Stress: Stress can cause temporary hair loss or telogen effluvium. The good news is that hair usually grows back once stress triggers are gone.

• Scalp Neglect: Tight hats and hairstyles, harsh styling, and not keeping your scalp clean may help hasten hair loss or thinning.

A quick note: While male pattern baldness is the most common cause of hair loss in men, sudden or patchy hair loss, or hair loss accompanied by itching, redness, or pain should be evaluated by a doctor. It could be a sign of alopecia areata, thyroid issues, or a reaction to medication.

Certain medications, such as chemotherapy, antidepressants, and steroids, can induce hair thinning and further hair loss.

Can You Prevent It?

The Bald Truth? If you're genetically predisposed, you can't stop it, but you can slow it down. Sorry, guys, but male pattern baldness equals permanent hair loss; affected areas of the scalp will never grow back naturally.

How do you know if you have it? Male pattern baldness typically begins at the temples, the front of the scalp, and the crown of the head. If you notice a receding hairline, an "M" shaped hairline, or what we call the "McDonald's logo," welcome to the club!

What to do If You're Going Bald? Top 6 Options

You have six options if you're going bald or have a receding hairline: Fight it with medical treatments (best for slowing the process, not reversing male pattern baldness), surgery, style it, wear wigs, shave it all off, scalp tatoo, or the least likely is not to do anything and continue to rock a "power donut" like Ed Harris, Danny DeVito, or the late Sean Connery.

1. Medical Treatment (Minoxidil and Finasteride)

The only FDA-approved treatments for male pattern baldness are minoxidil (topical foam or solution) and oral finasteride (daily pill). Minoxidil increases blood flow to the scalp, stimulating hair growth. On the other hand, finasteride blocks the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT).

Both hair loss treatments work best when started early; some even take them together and achieve better results. Just remember that these medications have side effects, such as loss of libido when taking finasteride. If you plan to have children, it's better to avoid finasteride.

Another downside to taking minoxidil or finasteride is that you need to take them for life or risk losing the hair you've saved.

2. Style it or Wear Wigs

Suppose you're balding in the earlier stages of the Norwood scale. There are haircuts or styles for balding men that you can choose to make you look sharp. Wearing wigs (as long as they don't slip) is another option, but if you walk outside on a windy day and your wig flies off, it can be embarrassing.

3. Surgical Solution (Hair Transplant)

A hair transplant is a permanent surgical option for balding but it's expensive and painful. During surgery, healthy hair follicles are moved from the back or sides of your head to the thinning areas.

4. Shave or Buzz It

Many men have shaved their heads and loved it. Tools like Freebird's FlexSeries have sold over a million shavers, proving how many have chosen to shave it clean.

If you're ready to join the club, the FlexSeries Pro is one of the best head shavers you can buy. You can read our article on the best head shavers for men for more choices.

If shaving is too aggressive for you, you can always buzz it instead. The BeardSeries Trimmer is a good tool to have here.  

Once you've embraced head shaving, you must learn about bald head care to kick-start your bald journey!

5. Non-Surgical Option (Scalp Micropigmentation)

Scalp Micropigmentation is a non-surgical procedure that mimics the look of a buzz cut. Tiny pigment dots are tattoed onto your scalp creating an illusion of fullness. SMP is a great option for those who don't want lifetime medication (and side effects) or having invasive surgery. How much does it cost? Click on the link to see how much.

6. Power Donut, Anyone?

Some say this is the worst hairstyle for bald men, and I agree. Unless you're Connery or DeVito, who owned it, but if you like your look, rock it with confidence!

Are you supporting someone who's going through hair loss? The best thing you can do is listen and offer encouragement. For tips on what to say and how, read our article on how to tell someone to shave their head.

Some Breakthrough Treatments for Balding

PP405

A new topical drug, PP405, is garnering significant attention. Think of it like a metabolic reboot for your hair cells. Unlike older medications, PP405 doesn't mess with your hormones. It's more of a regenerative treatment that wakes up dormant hair follicle stem cells on your scalp. 

Phase 2a trial results from 2025 showed that 31% of men with more advanced hair loss had a greater than 20% increase in hair density after just eight weeks, a much faster result than current options. The drug is not yet commercially available, but the earliest predicted release date is around late 2027 or 2028, assuming the next rounds of trials are successful.

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy

PRP therapy involves drawing a small amount of your own blood, spinning it to concentrate the platelets and growth factors, and then injecting that mixture into your scalp.

• Success Rate: Studies have shown that PRP can be effective, especially for bald guys in the early to moderate stages of hair thinning. A majority of studies,, report a positive effect, with 70–80% of patients seeing noticeable improvement after a series of treatments.
• What to Expect: Treatment involves a series of sessions spaced one month apart, followed by maintenance sessions. You can expect to start seeing results within about two to three months, with continued improvement over the first year. 

Low-Level Light Therapy (LLLT)

LLLT is a non-invasive, drug-free method for treating hair loss at home using devices such as laser caps or combs.

• How it Works: LLLT devices use red or near-infrared light to stimulate hair follicles, helping them grow thicker and stay in the growth phase longer.
• The Evidence: LLLT is FDA-approved, and several clinical trials show it works. It’s  suitable for baldies seeking an easy-to-use option without the side effects of medications. 

The Bottom Line

Whether you're fighting to keep every strand or ready to embrace the bald lifestyle, remember you're not alone, and you've got options.

Baldness is normal and nothing to be ashamed of. Confidence is the best style you can wear along with your smooth dome.

What do Statham, Johnson, and Diesel have in common? They're confident, successful, and rock the bald look!

Ready to start your new journey? Read our Beginner's Guide for Baldies to help you get on the right track.

If you've decided to take the leap, the FlexSeries Pro is the first purchase you should make.

Get one for only $59.95!

FAQs

Is it Possible to Reverse Pattern Baldness Naturally?

Reversing hair loss naturally isn't realistic. Once those follicles shrink from genetics and DHT, they're not coming back with home remedies. Natural methods like a healthy diet, stress management, and scalp care are effective treatments for temporary hair loss (from stress or nutrition), but they won't regrow hair lost to genetics. FDA-approved treatments or embracing the bald look are your best bets for real results.

Can You Prevent Male Pattern Baldness?

You can't prevent it, but in some instances, you can slow it down with early treatment and a healthy lifestyle.

Does Wearing Hats Cause Hair Loss?

Nope, that's a myth. Hats don't cause baldness, but wearing tight ones may lead to hair loss known as traction alopecia.

At What Age Do Most Men Start Going Bald?

Some guys notice thinning as early as their late teens or 20s. By age 35, about two-thirds of men will experience some degree of hair loss.

Can Diet Affect Hair Loss?

Absolutely. Poor nutrition can worsen hair loss, especially if you're low in protein, iron, or vitamins.

Is Hair Loss Inherited from Your Father or Mother?

Both! You can inherit the genes from either side of your family. Scientists have found that male pattern baldness is polygenic, meaning that many genes, not just one, influence it, and these can come from either side of the family. The AR gene on the X chromosome plays a significant role, but is not the only factor.